Transforming Lives. Families. Communities.

"SHE HAS TO TAKE CARE OF HERSELF FIRST, BEFORE SHE CAN TAKE CARE OF US."

I THINK THAT I WAS IN THE KITCHEN WHEN I HEARD ONE OF MY TEEN FOSTER BOYS IN ANOTHER PART OF THE HOUSE TELL THIS TO ONE OF THE TEEN BOYS THAT WAS WITH US WHILE HIS FOSTER PARENTS TOOK SOME WELL NEEDED TIME FOR THEIR OWN SELF CARE (RESPITE). 

IT WAS AT THAT MOMENT THAT I KNEW THAT HE UNDERSTOOD.  YOU CANNOT TAKE CARE OF SOMEONE ELSE UNTIL YOU FIRST TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF.

YOU CANNOT GIVE WHAT YOU DON'T HAVE.  YOU HAVE TO BE IN A GOOD CALM STATE OF MIND. YOU HAVE TO BE AT PEACE WITH YOURSELF BEFORE YOU CAN BE THERE FOR SOMEONE ELSE.  

TO MEET THE CHALLENGES OF SOMEONE ELSE'S LIFE, YOU FIRST MUST WORK ON YOURSELF.  THAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS SESSION ON SELF CARE.  

KNOW YOUR WORTH. YOU ARE OF GREAT VALUE.  GIVE AND RECEIVE SUPPORT.  

NEVER STOP LEARNING. EDUCATE YOURSELF.  

WE ARE A TEAM.  WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.

CAROLYN LEWIS, M.ED.